Case for motor units



Nov. 14, 1950 l. JEPSON CASE FOR MOTOR uNI'rs Filed Oct. 29. 1947 Patented Nov. 14, 1950 CASE FOR MOTOR UNITS Ivar Jepson, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application October 29, 1947, Serial No. 782,762

Claims.

This invention relates to a case or a housing for a motor and an associated driven unit and more particularly to a case for a motor and a driven unit utilized in an electric shaver.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved case of the above character which is formed by separable parts, which is easy to manufacture, which is rugged, which can be readily assembled and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a case of the above character formed by separable parts with novel means for preventing the entrance of dirt and the like to the interior of the case along the joints formed between the respective parts which at the same time gives the case a smooth exterior surface and which presents a neat and attractive appearance,

Another object of the invention is the provision in a case of the above character utilizing a shield to prevent the entrance of dirt and the like to the housing with novel means for securing the shield in position.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a case of the above character for securing a motor unit therein so that a minimum number of securing means are exposed on the exterior of the case.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a case of the above character wherein the respective parts forming the case and the motor can be positivel secured together in a tightly assembled relation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevational view of one of the parts used in a case embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of another part used in the case embodying my invention;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of one of the parts and the motor unit in an assembled relation;

Fig. 4 is an edge view of the case similar to Fi 3;

Fig. 5 is an edge view of the case showing the respective parts thereof in position to form a unitary case;

Fig.6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with a shield in position on the case;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6, and

Fig. 9 is a view of the shield showing the details of construction of a portion thereof.

My invention is concerned with a housing for enclosing the components of an electric razor, small hand power tool, or the like. For purposes of illustration, my housing is shown in the form of a case M for an electric shaver of the type used in shaving beards and removing hair from other parts of the body. As shown in the drawings (see Fig. 3) the case M is shaped to enclose a motor I3 arranged to drive a cutter (not shown) supported by spaced cutter supports I4. The latter are rigidly mounted on a shaft |6 rotatably supported in the head I! which is secured herein to a motor bearing support block I8. The motor I3 is interconnected with the shaft l6 by means (not shown) mounted in the head H to effect oscillatory movement of the cutter,

One phase of my invention is directed to constructing the case M so that the respective components encased therein can be quickl assembled and at the same time provide an assembly in which the respective parts are securely held in position. To this end I form the case M in two parts, l9 and 2| (see Figures 1 and 2) shaped to fit together to form the unitary case shown in Figs. 5 and 6 which is securely fastened to the enclosed components. Each part I9 and 2| is preshaped and is formed with edge portions 22 and 23, respectively, flattened at their outer extremities and integral with central portions 24 and 26 respectively. The parts I9 and 2| are so shaped that when in the assembled relation the flattened outer extremities of respective edge portions 22 and 23 on the respective parts l9 and 2| abut each other along a joint 21 on each side of the case M. As best shown in Figures 1 and 2 each part l9 and 2| is formed with a recess 28 for receivin a portion of the motor l3 and a recess 29 which is a continuation of the recess 28 for receiving a portion of the head IT. The general shape of the recesses 28 and 29 may vary considerably. For example, as shown in Fig, 3, the cross section of the motor l3 comprising a field structure 3| and associated field coils 32 is relatively flat and relatively wide and as a consequence is wider and thicker (see Figs. 3 and 4) than the bearing blocks I8 and 33 on either end of the field structure 3|. Thus, it is to be understood that the shape of the recesses 28 and 29 in each instance depends upon the particular shape of the motor l3 and the driven unit Preferably the shape of the recesses is such that when the parts l9 and 2| are assembled, a chamher 34 is formed on the interior of the case M of substantially the same configuration as the motor l3 and the head There should be only sufficient clearance between the exterior of the motor 3 and the case I! to permit mass production of the respective parts and ease of assembly.

While any desired means may be utilized for securing the case parts l9 and 2| together to form the unitary housing, I prefer to secure the respective parts l9 and 2| to the motor l3 and associated head IT so as to form a mechanically rigid unit. Thus, as shown in- Figs. 3 and 4 at one end of the case H I secure each part 59 and 2| to the head i! by screws 36 disposed on opposite edges of the head IT. At the opposite end of the case M I secure the part l9 to the motor by screws 3'! extending through the bearing block 33 at spaced positions and threaded into sleeves 38 formed in bosses 39 integral with the part i6; and secure the part 2| to the motor l3 by a screw 40 (see Fig. 6) accessible from the exterior of the case extending through the part 2| and threaded into the bearing block 33, It will be noted that the screws 31 are accessible only when the part 2| is removed. It is to be understood that any other type of threaded connection for example, a stud and associated nut or the like could be used in lieu of the screws shown herein.

Any suitable means may be provided for covering the joints 2'! between the abutting parts l5 and 2| to prevent the entrance of foreign material such as dirt, hair clippings and the like to the motor chamber 34. Herein, I contemplate the use of separable shields 4! (see Fig. 6) shaped :1

to overlie portions of the respective parts l9 and 2| to cover the joints 2?. Herein each shield 4| is formed in two integral portions, i. e., an enlarged portion 42 shaped to cover the exposed heads of the screws 36 securing the parts i!) and 2| respectively to the head l1 and a narrowed portion 43 extending from the head end of the case M to the opposite end of the case M. Preferably in a case of this type which is held in an operators hand, it is desirable to have a smooth exterior surface. For this purpose the enlarged end 42 is shaped to conform to the configuration of the head end of the electric razor l2, Herein the enlarged end 42 is formed with side portions 43 shaped to engage the shoulders 44 formed on the exterior of the case M for positioning the shield 4|. The rearward edges 46 of the shield 4| engage shoulders 4'1. The latter shoulders are of such depth that the rearward edges 46 are substantially flush with and of the same configuration as the edge portions of the case On each edge of the case the narrowed portion 43 is received in a groove 48 overlying and in communication with the joint 21, The groove is formed herein by preshaping each of the parts l9 and ill. The groove is of such depth that the narrowed portion 43 of the shield 4| when disposed therein is substantially flush with the edge surface of the case I.

Means is provided for securing the shield in position. In this embodiment of the invention the shield 4| is secured to the case M at two points. Thus, as shown in Fig. 7 the enlarged end 42 of the shield 4| is formed with a bracket 49 (see Figs. '7 and 9) shaped to interfit with a clip 5| secured to the exterior of the case H to secure one end of a shield 4| in position. As shown the bracket 49 is formed by securing a member having a generally U-shaped cross section to the side of the shield 4| facing the case The member is positioned on th shield such that when the latter is in position, a member 55 on thebracket 49 engages the clip 5| and stresses the latter thereby assuring a tight assembly of the respective components.

The clip 5| herein is in the form of an inverted T-shaped member comprising arms 52 integrally connected to a central portion or tongue 53. Each of the arms 52 is secured to the case H as by the screws 36 extending through openings 55 formed in the respective arms. The central portion 53 is fashioned so as to be in spaced relation with the case II when the screws 36 are tightened. At its extreme outer end the central portion 53 is flared outwardly slightly away from the housing as shown in Fig. '7 to facilitate engagement of the member 55 with the tongue 53,

As shown in Fig. 8 the narrow portion 43 is secured to the case M at the end thereof opposite the head l'l. In this instance the extreme outer end 54 (see Fig. 8) of the narrow portion 43 is turned back on itself to form a hook that engages a shoulder 56 formed on the case M adjacent an opening 51. The latter is formed in the case H for the reception of an attachment plug (not shown) utilized to conduct power to terminals 58.

Fhe manner of assembling the respective components may be understood from the foregoing but is briefly summarized as follows. The part l3 and the motor unit |3 including the head H are assembled as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The clips 52 are positioned as shown and screws 35 are threaded into the respective openings formed. in the head l'i. Subsequently, the screws 3? are threaded into the sleeves 38. At this point in the assembly the part I9 and the motor unit are rigidly secured together. The part 2| is then brought into position as shown in Fig. 5. The screws 35 for part 2| are threaded into the housing ll. This fixes the clip 5| and the head end of the part 2| to the motor unit. The screw 46 is thereafter threaded into the bearing block 33 from the exterior of the case H. The shield 4! is then positioned so that the bracket 49 engages the clip 5| and the edges 43 of the enlarged portion 42 of the shield 4| engages the respective shoulders 44 and 41 formed on the case M. The narrow portion 43 of the shield is then positioned in the groove 48 and the extreme outer end 54 of the narrow portion is deformed to engage the shoulder 56.

The case contemplated herein may assume many shapes and forms, and while I have shown one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made and I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In combination, a case for a motor unit comtherein for the reception of the motor unit, means for securing each of said parts to said motor unit at one end, means disposed in said chamber for securing the opposite end of one of said parts to said motor unit,.means accessible from the ex-- terior of said case for securing the opposite end of the other part to the motor unit, shields overlying said matching edge portions to prevent the entrance of foreign matter to said motor chamber. and means disposed at opposite ends of said case for securing said shields in position.

2. In combination, a housing for a motor unit comprising two separable parts, each of said parts having spaced edge portions, the edge portions of one part being shaped to substantially match the edge portions of the other part, each of said parts being formed with a recess so that in the assembled position of the parts a chamber is formed in said housing for the reception of said motor unit, means for securing said parts to said motor unit, shields overlying said matching edge portions, each of said shields being formed in two portions, one of said portions being enlarged and the other of said portions being relatively narrow, each of said enlarged portions having a bracket secured to the inner side thereof, clips secured to opposite sides of said housing shaped to interfit with said brackets to secure the enlarged ends of the shields in posiiton on said housing, said clips being positioned so that the enlarged portions of the shields enclose the clips in the assembled position of the parts, and means for securing the narrow portions of the shields to the housing.

3. In combination, a housing for a motor unit comprising two separable parts, each of said parts having spaced edge portions, the edge portions of one part being shaped to substantially match the edge portions of the other part, each of said parts being formed with a recess so that in the assembled position of the parts to form the housing a chamber is formed therein for the reception of said motor unit, each of said parts bein preshaped so that on each side of the housing it is formed with shoulders at a first end and an elongated groove extending from one of the shoulders to the opposite end of the housing, said housing having a shoulder formed on each side of the opposite end thereof, means for securing said parts to said motor unit, a shield shaped to overlie the matching edge portions on each side of said housing, said shields being formed in two portions, one of said portions being enlarged and shaped to engage the shoulders formed on the first end of the housing to position the shield and the other of said portions being relatively narrow and being recessed in said groove, said shields and said housing interfitting to form a smooth exterior surface on said housing, said enlarged portion of each shield having a bracket secured thereto, a clip secured to each side of said housing and shaped to interfit with the bracket on each respective shield to positively secure the latter in position, said clips being positioned so that the enlarged portion of each shield encloses the clip in the assembled position of the parts, and each of said narrow portions having an outer end thereof turned back on itself to engage one of the shoulders on the opposite end of the housing to secure the shield thereto.

4. In combination, a housing for a motor unit comprising two separable parts, each having spaced edge portions, the edge portions of one part being shaped to substantially match the edge portions of the other part, each of said parts bein formed with a recess so that in the assembled position of the parts a chamber is formed in said housing for the reception of, said motor unit, clips on opposite sides of said housing, first screws extending through said clips and said parts and threaded into said motor unit to secure the parts to the motor unit, a second screw at the opposite end of said housing passing through said motor unit and threaded into one of the parts, said screw being accessible when the other of said parts is removed, a third screw accessible from the exterior of the housing passing through the other of said parts at the opposite end of the housing and threaded into said motor unit to secure the respective parts in a tightly assembled relation, a shield overlying said matching edge portions, said shield being formed in two portions, one of said portions being enlarged and shaped to cover said clips and associated screws and the other portion being relatively narrow and being recessed on said housing to form a smooth exterior thereon, said clip having an outwardly extending portion spaced from the housing, said enlarged portion of the shield having a bracket formed thereon interfitting with said outwardly extending portion of the clip to secure the enlarged portion of the shield in position, and means for securing the opposite end of the shield to the housing.

5. In combination, a case for a motor unit comprising two separable parts each having spaced edge portions, the edge portions of one part being shaped to substantially match the edge portions of the other part when the parts are positioned to form a unitary case, each of said parts being formed with a recess so that when the parts are assembled a chamber is formed therein for the reception of the motor unit, means for securing each of said parts to said motor unit at one end, means disposed in said chamber for securing the opposite end of one of said parts to said motor unit, means accessible from the exterior of said housin for securing the opposite end of the other part to the motor unit, and shield means shaped to overlie said matching edge portions to prevent the ntrance of foreign matter to said motor chamber.

IVAR JEPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,154,146 Becker Apr. 11, 1939 2,275,022 Thomas Mar. 3, 1942 2,286,093 Hicks June 9, 1942 

